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EU to Offer Ukraine Help Over Azov Sea at Summit 


FILE - A Ukrainian serviceman stands on board a coast guard ship in the Sea of Azov port of Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, Dec. 3, 2018.
FILE - A Ukrainian serviceman stands on board a coast guard ship in the Sea of Azov port of Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, Dec. 3, 2018.

European Union leaders will offer Ukraine help for its regions affected by Russia's actions in the Azov Sea when they meet Thursday, according to a draft summit statement seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

But there is no mention of consideration of further sanctions against Russia, reflecting division among member states. Diplomats expect a rollover of existing sanctions but no consensus on increases sought by more hawkish governments.

Condemning Russia, the EU will reiterate its support for Ukrainian sovereignty over Crimea's 2014 annexation by Moscow and — referring to the capture of Ukrainian naval vessels off Crimea last month — said: "There is no justification for the use of military force by Russia."

FILE - In this photo released by the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, an anti-aircraft rocket system is tested at a military training ground Odessa region, Ukraine, Dec. 5, 2018. The Ukrainian military has been on increased readiness as part of martial law introduced in the country in the wake of the Nov. 25, 2018, incident in the Sea of Azov, in which the Russian coast guard fired upon and seized three Ukrainian navy vessels along with their crews.
FILE - In this photo released by the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, an anti-aircraft rocket system is tested at a military training ground Odessa region, Ukraine, Dec. 5, 2018. The Ukrainian military has been on increased readiness as part of martial law introduced in the country in the wake of the Nov. 25, 2018, incident in the Sea of Azov, in which the Russian coast guard fired upon and seized three Ukrainian navy vessels along with their crews.

The statement demanded the release of Ukrainian sailors seized during the incident, the return of their vessels and free passage to all ships passing through the Kerch Strait.

It concluded with the offer of financial and other measures to help areas of eastern Ukraine whose maritime access was affected by Moscow's action.

"The EU stands ready to adopt measures to strengthen further its support in favor of the affected areas of Ukraine," the statement said.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met summit chair Donald Tusk in Brussels on Wednesday and will hold talks at NATO headquarters in the city on Thursday. EU leaders will discuss Ukraine and Russia over a summit dinner later in the day.

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    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

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